Crotale missile

Crotales are also percussion instruments.

gunnery crew of the La Motte-Picquet frigate, in front of the Crotale anti-air missile launcher

Crotale launchers aboard the Tourville frigate

The Thomson CSF Matra Crotale EDIR (Ecartométrie Différentielle InfraRouge, InfraRed Differential Ecartometry) is an all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft. It exist in two versions, a mobile land-based version and a ship-launched one.

The firing system includes the main sensors of the ship, the firing system of the turret, and a central coordination system. The turret holds eight missiles ready for launch in watertight containers. The magazine behind the turret holds 18 missiles.

Currently there are three countries that operate the Crotale missile. The first was South Africa, followed by France and then Saudi Arabia in 1975. China developed the HQ-7 SAM system, essentially an improved copy of the Crotale.

Specifications

Length 2.89 m
Diameter 0.15 m
Wing span 0.54 m
Launch weight 84 kg
Guidance command control
Warhead 15 kg
Max speed 750 m/s
Max altitude 5,500 m

Categories: Surface-to-air missiles